Banning Tor unwise and infeasible, MPs told

A ban on online anonymity networks would be "technologically infeasible" and unwise, MPs have been told.

Parliamentary advisers said networks such as Tor could be used for criminal ends but also in the public interest.

The advice for MPs contradicted the Prime Minister David
Cameron, who has said law enforcement should be handed the keys to
encrypted communications.

One expert said the document showed Mr Cameron's plans to be "noble", but ultimately unworkable.

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (Post),
which issues advice to MPs, said that there was "widespread agreement
that banning online anonymity systems altogether is not seen as an
acceptable policy option in the UK".

'Technical challenges'

In a briefing document on the dark net, of which Tor forms a
prominent part, it added that, "even if it were, there would be
technical challenges".

The report, published on Monday 9 March, cited the example of
the Chinese government, which attempted to block access to Tor in order
to enforce bans on unauthorised websites.Continue Reading.